Electric heating



Mar ch 25, 1952 R. JONES 2,590,417

ELECTRIC HEATING Filed Sept. 18, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 ROBERT L. JONES INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 25, 1952 R JONES 7 2,590,417

ELECTRIC HEATING Filed Sept. 18, 194.8 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG! ROBERT L. JONES INVENTOR 30 BMW F/G. 5 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 25, 1952 ELECTRIC HEATING Robert L. Jones, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to Edwin L. Wiegand Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 18, 1948, Serial N 0. 49,904

7 Claims. 1

My invention relates to electric heating, and the principal object of my invention is to provide improved means for heating by radiant heat.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application I have shown for purposes of illustration what I now consider to be the best mode of carrying my invention into practice, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a general view of the selected embodiment;

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fi pair of apertures 24 through which is passed a strap 25 overlying the element 2i and serving to hold the element 2| in position but nevertheless leaving the element free to move longitudinally relative to the plates I8 and straps 25, to allow for expansion and contraction of the element 2| on heating and cooling of the element ZI.

To prevent undue longitudinal movement of the element 2I relative to the plates I8 and straps 25, the element 2| is provided at the plates I8 with stops 25 each comprising a length of wire having its central portion 44 encircling the element 2| and its end portions 21 disposed parallel ure 2; to and welded to the element 2I and located in a Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figslot 50 in the corresponding plate 8, thereby servure 2; ing also to secure the element 2I against rotation.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the intermediate support means shown in elevation in Figure 4; and Figures 6 and 7 are views indicating the manner in which two or more devices may be interrelated.

As shown in the drawings the illustrated embodiment comprises an extruded-aluminum elongated body I I provided along its rear surface with longitudinally extending overhanging ribs I2 forming a longitudinally extending undercut channel I3 designed to receive the heads of mounting bolts I4 adjustable along the channel I3 into positions appropriate to the specific supporting means on which the heater is desired to be mounted.

The forward surface of the body I I is substantially parabolic in cross-section but is provided along each edge with a recess I5 and a lip IE together forming a ledge I1, and mounted in the recess of the body I I by means of these ledges I! are a pair of supporting plates I 8 spaced from the respective ends of the body I I and thereby dividing the recess in the forward surface of the body II into an extended central recess I9 and two relatively short end recesses 20.

Mounted in the recess of the body II, extending longitudinally of the body i I, is an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element 2| traversing the length of the central recess I9, supported by means of the supporting plates I8, having its ends extending into the respective end recesses 20, and provided at its ends with terminals 22 for the reception of electric conductors for connecting the element 2| to a suitable source of electric power.

For the purpose of supporting the element 2| each of the supporting plates I8 is provided with a forwardly opening recess 23 designed to receive the element 2| into desired position, and with a With this construction, to remove the element 2I it is necessary merely to disconnect the conductors from the terminals '22 and remove the two straps 25.

However, if the length of the element 2| between the plates I8 is such that the element is likely to deform from rectilinear, preferably the element is additionally supported at one or more intermediate places, and in the present embodiment this is accomplished by providing one or more intermediate supports 28, each comprising two pieces of sheet metal 29 secured together over their central portions 45 and having their ends 30 diverging, constructed to be snapped into position with the ends 30 resting on the body ledges I7, and provided with a recess 3| designed to receive the element 2! in desired position, whereupon the element 2! is held against deviation in the direction of the opening of the recess 3| by means of a strap 32 secured in position by having its ends 33 bent through recesses 34 appropriately located in the lateral edges of the sheet metal pieces 29.

With this construction the element 2| remains free to move longitudinally to allow for expansion and contraction on heating and cooling, and to remove the element it is necessary additionally merely to remove the one or more straps 32 and snap out the one or more supports 28.

In the present embodiment the ends of the recess in the forward face of the body I I are closed by means of end plates 35 each held in position by machine screws 36 and provided with an aperture 45 in which is mounted an insulating bushing 31 for the passage of the conductor to the respective terminal 22. However, in the event that two or more of the heaters are assembled end to end, or for any other reason it is not convenient to introduce the conductor through the end of the heater, the body H is provided at each end recess 20 with an opening 38 provided with an insulating bushing 39 through which the respective conductor may be introduced through the side of the heater.

To enclose the terminals and improve the appearance the open faces of the end recesses 20 are closed by plates 40 held in position by the longitudinal recesses l5 along the edges of the forward face of the body I I.

According to the present disclosure the radiant electric heating element 2! is a metal sheathed embedded-resistor element designed to attain the appropriate temperature to radiate predominantly the particular wave length that may be desired, for example, infra red, and in approximately triangular in cross-section and located substantially at the focus of the parabolic contour of the forward face of the body H, with one of the three faces of the element disposed substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the two forward edges of the body II, whereby heat from that face is transmitted directly, and only the heat from the other two faces is required to be reflected.

To improve the reflection of the heat the body H may be formed of anodized aluminum, 'but preferably as herein shown the forward face of the body I is overlaid with a thin sheet ii formed of anodized rolled aluminum overlying the surface of the central recess l9, snapped into position and held in position by the longitudinal ledges l1 extending along the forward edges of the forward face of the body II.

This separate sheet ll provides a reflecting surface affording higher reflection and less susceptible to deterioration, results in lower cost, and inasmuch as it can be inserted at the conclusion of the manufacturing processes, avoids the possibility of the surface being damaged during the manufacturing of the heater.

I To provide for assembling a plurality of heaters in side by side relation the body I I of each heater is provided along one edge with a rib 42 and along the other edge with a recess 43 designed to receive the rib B2 of an adjacent heater.

Further, as appears from Figures 6 and '7, the structure adjacent each rib 42 or recess 43 is formed to permit a considerable variation in the relative angular positions of the heaters, whereby the heaters may be assembled in a substantially planar relation, as shown in Figure 7, or in an 'arcuate or circular formation, as shown in Figure 6, and therefore are susceptible of assembly in a variety of relations suitable for a correspondingly wide variety of purposes and uses.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention accomplishes at least the principal object of my invention. However, also it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made, Within the scope of my invention. Accordingly it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

Wherefore I claim:

1. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, longitudinally extending overhanging ribs along the rear surface of the housing forming a longitudinally extending undercut channel, mounting bolts having their heads disposed in said undercut channel and adjustable along said channel into positions appropriate to supporting means til) on which said housing is to be mounted, a recess and a lip along each edge of the open-sided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the opensided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, and a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement.

2. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, longitudinally extending overhanging ribs along the rear surface of the housing forming a longitudinally extending undercut channel, mounting bolts having their heads disposed in said undercut channel and adjustable along said channel into positions appropriate to supporting means on which said housing is to be mounted, a recess and a lip along each edge of the open-sided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the opensided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extend ing longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement, and stop I means for restricting lineal and rotative movement of said heating element within predetermined limits.

3. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, a recess and a lip along each edge of the opensided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the open-sided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element ex tending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending intothe respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each or" the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement, and a refiector mounted in said open-sided concavity between the housing and the heating element.

4. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, a recess and a lip along each edge of the opensided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the open-sided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends oi the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective end with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement, and a reflector mounted in said open-sided concavity between the housing and the heating element, said reflector being engaged in and supported by said ledges.

5. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, a recess and a lip along each edge of the opensided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the open-sided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends Of said recesses, and a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement.

6. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open sided concavity, a recess and a lip along each edge of the opensided concavity, each of said recesses and lips together forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the open-sided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, and a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement, and means for supporting the heating element intermediate the supporting plates, said lastnamed means including a grooved plate having resilient ends and adapted to be snapped into place with the ends of said plate resting on said ledges.

'7. An infra-red electric heater comprising an elongated metal housing providing an elongated substantially rectilinear open-sided concavity, a recess and a lip along each edge of the open-sided concavity, each of said recesses and lips to gether forming a ledge, a pair of supporting plates mounted on said ledges transversely of the open-sided concavity, said supporting plates being spaced from the respective ends of the housing to divide the open-sided concavity into an extended central recess and two relatively short end recesses, an elongated, substantially rectilinear, radiant electric heating element extending longitudinally of the central recess of the open-sided concavity and supported on said supporting plates, said heating element having its ends extending into the respective end recesses and being provided on its respective ends with terminals for the reception of electric conductors, a forwardly opening recess in each of the heating element supporting plates in which the heating element is disposed, a pair of apertures in each of said supporting plates adjacent the open ends of said recesses, a strap extending through said recesses and transversely overlying said heating element whereby said heating element is supported in said supporting plates for lineal expansion and contraction movement, and means for supporting the heating element inter mediate the supporting plates, said last-named means including a grooved plate having resilient divergent ends and adapted to be snapped into place with the ends of said plate resting on said ledges.

ROBERT L. JONES.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Shoenberg Jan. 11, 1921 Ehrgott Nov. 1, 1927 Bertling Dec. 9, 1930 Waterman. Jr. Feb. 9. 1932 Waterbury Feb. 18, 1941 Biller Feb. 22, 1944 King Apr. 18, 1944 Sardeson Feb. 20, 1945 Number Number m 455,507

Name Date Wilson Apr. 1, 1947 Watkins June 3, 1947 Wiegand Oct. 14, 1947 Jim May 4, 1948 Doyle Jan. 24, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 22, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES Metal Industry, page 292, November 10, 1944. 

